17th.

Parson Carey is very sick; and consequently we had no meeting: so I staid at home;
wrote a long Letter to my friend Fiske,1 and a page or two some ways back in this book. In the evening I went to Mrs. Hooper's
to see Townsend, whom I found very hoarse, and with a bad cough. I pass'd the evening
there, as likewise did Mr. S. Cutler. Within these two years Townsend has lost two
brothers and a Sister by consumptions, and it is much to be feared that he himself
will be subject to the same misfortune: I am in hopes however, that by their fate,
he will be warn'd to { 364 } take such care of himself, as will preserve his life and lengthen his days; for I
feel a great degree of friendship for him.

18th.

After passing the day at the Office, I went and pass'd the evening at Mrs. Hooper's.
Townsend's cough hangs upon him, but he is getting better. We play'd quadrille till
supper time. Miss Knight is still there; she is very handsome, and very amiable; yet
not very interesting.

Docno: ADMS-03-02-02-0003-0002-0019

Author: Adams, John Quincy

Date: 1788-02-19

19th.

Called upon Putnam after leaving the office, and passed the evening at his lodgings:
I have a greater regard for this young fellow than I had when at College. He is friendly
and good-natured, and pursues his studies with diligence and attention. Perhaps indeed
that now the warmth of emulation has subsided, and we can in no instance be rivals
neither he nor I view each other in the same light, that we did nine months ago.

Docno: ADMS-03-02-02-0003-0002-0020

Author: Adams, John Quincy

Date: 1788-02-20

20th.

Mr. Parsons went yesterday to Boston, to attend the supreme Judicial Court.

This evening I past with Thompson, at Mrs. Emery's. Miss Smith and Miss Putnam were
there. We play'd cards about an hour; after which Miss Emery play'd us a number of
tunes very agreeably upon the harpsichord. I had another match with Miss Putnam at
complimenting, and succeeded tolerably well.

Docno: ADMS-03-02-02-0003-0002-0021

Author: Adams, John Quincy

Date: 1788-02-21

21st.

Mrs. Emery and her daughter were going to Exeter this morning in a single sleigh.
Dr. Kilham and I after greatly debating the question had likewise determined to go:
so we agreed to divide; the Doctor went with Mrs. Emery, and I with the young lady.
It was just eleven o'clock when we started; and the roads were so difficult, that
we did not get to Exeter till three. Nor the other sleigh till five. After sitting
down my companion I went and dined, and then immediately proceeded to the meeting-house
{ 365 } where the State Convention for the State of New-Hampshire were debating upon the subject
of the federal Constitution. I found Mr. Pickering a member from Portsmouth zealously,
though I cannot add very forcibly arguing for the good cause. Several other members
spoke; but none of them, in my opinion much to the purpose: They have gone through
the System by paragraphs: and are now considering it generally.

I found Mr. Shaw, Mr. Thaxter and a number more of our Haverhill friends there, and
pass'd the evening with them at Mr. Peabody's; a friend of the Doctor's; where we
lodg'd; for there was not a bed to be had at any of the public houses. We were disappointed
of an assembly this evening as we expected; and the debates I really think were not
worth the ride, in a cold day; but the satisfaction of riding with an amiable girl;
and the novelty of the town which I never saw before, will in some measure compensate
for the failure of my expectations.1

1. In JQA's line-a-day Diary at the bottom of the page after the entry for 22 Feb. is a second entry dated 21 Feb.: “Mr. Atkins. Sci: fa: bail” (D/JQA/13, Adams Papers, Microfilms, Reel No. 16).